Google exec emphasizes human oversight in autonomous AI systems
Google and Accenture highlight the need for human control and regulation as AI agents become more autonomous in business workflows.
At the Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore conference, Sapna Chadha, Google's VP for Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, emphasized the growing importance of human oversight in agentic AI systems. These systems, which leverage powerful language models to perform multi-step tasks, are expected to be embedded in 33% of enterprise software by 2028, automating nearly 15% of daily workflows.
Three Stages of AI Adoption
Vivek Luthra, Accenture’s Asia Pacific data and AI lead, outlined the three stages of AI adoption:
- AI Assist: Agents help employees with individual tasks.
- AI Adviser: Agents provide insights for better decision-making.
- Autonomation: Agents autonomously manage entire workflows.
While most companies are in the "assist" or "adviser" stages, Accenture has already deployed fully autonomous AI agents in HR, finance, marketing, and IT. Industries like life sciences and banking are using these agents for regulatory approvals and fraud management.
Google's Vision and Safety Measures
Chadha highlighted Project Astra, Google's vision for a universal AI agent capable of diverse tasks. However, she stressed the need for responsible AI deployment, citing risks like rogue agents or unauthorized data sharing. Google has released a white paper outlining its approach to secure AI agents.
Transparency and Regulation
Both Chadha and Luthra emphasized transparency and user control. "You wouldn’t want to have a system that can do this fully without a human in the loop," Chadha said. She also called for robust regulation, stating, "It’s too important not to regulate."
Corporate Updates
- BankUnited Inc. appointed James G. Mackey as CFO, effective Nov. 1.
- Lindsay Corporation announced the retirement of CFO Brian Ketcham by Dec. 31.
- Block, Inc. joined the S&P 500, replacing Hess Corp. after Chevron's acquisition.
Tesla's Challenges
Elon Musk remained optimistic despite Tesla's 12% revenue decline, its worst performance in a decade.
Quote of the Day
"Beauty is an endless quest for humans, which is why the market is always evolving." — L’Oréal deputy CEO Barbara Lavernos
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About the Author
Dr. Lisa Kim
AI Ethics Researcher
Leading expert in AI ethics and responsible AI development with 13 years of research experience. Former member of Microsoft AI Ethics Committee, now provides consulting for multiple international AI governance organizations. Regularly contributes AI ethics articles to top-tier journals like Nature and Science.